The missing multi-millionaire has claimed the $17.7 million Lotto prize today, 20 days after winning half of a record $35m jackpot.
The Auckland woman, who wished to remain anonymous, had been on holiday and only discovered this week that she was a big winner.
After taking a couple of days for the shock to settle, she visited NZ Lotteries' Wellington office to claim her prize.
"I still don't believe this is real," she said. "I never thought I would win."
The woman, who was not a regular Lotto player, was passing through Hamilton and purchased her lucky ticket on a whim from Take Note Dinsdale.
"I was scared when I first discovered I'd won because the prize is so big.
"This is a life-changing prize, but I'm going to keep things simple, keep working, live my normal life," she said.
Giving money to charities including those associated with quake-ravaged Christchurch was one of her first priorities.
The prize was the fifth-equal largest Powerball prize. It is worth $17,723,538, made up of $17,612,427 from Powerball First Division, and $111,111 from Lotto First Division.
The other winning $17.7 million Powerball ticket was sold at Dannevirke New World and was claimed shortly after the draw.
